Binocular magnifying lens holder



June 24, 1947. Q A ELUS A2,42?,661

BINOCULAR MAGNIFYING LENS HOLDER Filed July 24, 1944 rl!! 1.......1' l.. l

28 5 6 l INVENTOR.

CHARLES A ELL/5 Attorney Patented .une 24, 1947 UNITED STATE BINOCULAR MAGNIFYIN G LENS HOLDER 's charles A. Ellis, southbriaggMass.. assignor to Q ompany, Southbridge, Mass., a voluntary association of Massachusetts Application July 24, 1944, Serial No. 546,301

American Optical h Claims.

This invention relates to binocular magniers and has particular reference to a novel attachment for such magnifiersV to an ophthalmic mounting and novel means of adjusting said magnifiers relativev to each other.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide simple and effective means in binocular loops or magniers for quickly and easily altering .the distance between said magniflers and for retaining said magniliers in said adjusted relation. y n

Another object is to provide holding means for a pair of magniers of the character described which may be detachably secured to an ophthalmic mounting. v f

Another object is Ito provide a support for binocular magniers of the above character which may be raised or lowered relative to the ophthalmic mounting.

Another object is to provide a novel arrangement for adjusting the distance rbetween the lenses which may be conveniently operated by one hand of theindividual and which will retain its adjusted position when released.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and it will be apparent that many changes may be made in the details of construction and arrangement 'of parts without departing from the spirit of the Vinvention'as expressed in the accompanying claims. I', therefore, do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction and arrangement of parts shown and described as the preferred forms only have'been given lby way of illustration;

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the preferred form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is 1a slightly enlarged partial sectional view taken as'on" line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and looking inthe direction indicated by the arrows;`

Fig.v 3 is an exploded view of the preferred means forretaining the vmagnifier supports and magniers in adjusted positions;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View taken as on line A4-7-4 y of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 illustrates la modified form of thek invention showing the parts in disassembled relation with each other; l

Fig. 6 is a'sectional View illustrating the parts of Fig. 5 in assembled relation with each other and with` the magnifier supports;

Fig. 7 is a view generally similar to Fig. .2 of a further modification ofthe invention.

2 Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views, the device embodying the invention comprises a pair of magnifying lenses 8 each held in a respective frame 9 carried by the forward ends I0 of resilient bars or supports I l.

The frames 9 are of U-shaped formation having the upper and lower branches thereof grooved inwardly so as to receive suitably beveled edges or the like formed on the lenses 8 whereby said lenses may be slid in a sidewise direction into assembled relation with the frames. The lenses 8 may be secured in the frame portions 9 by bending the outer ends I2 thereof toward each other as illustrated in Fig. l. The ends I0 of the resilient bars or supports II .are preferably secured tothe base of the U-shaped frames 9 by soldering, welding, or the like. The said bars or supports II are joined with each other by a tie rod or the like I3 which is preferably secured to said bars or supports Il by soldering, welding, or the like. The said tie rod I3 is located adjacent the ends of the Ibars II opposite the frame portions 9, with the extreme ends of said bars yIl each being .provided with a, perforated ear I4, see Fig. 2. 1 The perforated ears are pivotally connected by meansof -a pivot pin or the like I5 to a hinge strap I6 carried by the depending portions I'l of a bridge member I8 of a conventional ophthalmic mounting. The hinge straps I6 are secured to the depending portions I1 vof the bridge by soldering, welding, or the like. 'I'he said straps I6 are provided with an inner surface I9 against which a attened edge 20, formed on the pivoted ends of Ythe bars I I, is adapted to engage to limit the downward movement of said Ibars II and to support the magniers' in alignment with the line of straight ahead vision through the lenses 2 I.

A slide clampv such as illustrated at 22 is carried by the bars I I and is adapted to vary the distance between the lenses by movement of said slide clamp 22 toward or away from the bridge member I8. This is diagrammatically illustrated bythe dash lines 23 in Fig. l. When the slide clamp 22 is moved toward the lenses, as illustrated by the dash lines 23 in Fig. 1, the distance between said lenses will be increased. When moved in the opposite direction as shown by the full lines, the distance between the lenses will be decreased. The effective point about which the lenses are swung is substantially adjacent the ends of the tie rod I3 thereby causing the distance between the hinge straps I6 to be unaltered.

The slide clamp, as shown in Figs, 1, 3, and 4,

comprises a tubular member 24 having diverging slots 25 formed in the side Wall thereof and communicating with the bore of the tube. The slots 25 are adapted to receive the resilient bars or supports II. A coil spring 26 is positioned internally of the tubular member 24, as best illustrated in Fig. 4, and is compressed by slide blocks 21 positioned in the opposed ends of nthe tubular member 24'. The said slide blocks 21 are each provided with a notch 28 adapted to receive the bars or supports II. The parts are assembled by exerting a pressure on the exposedends of the slide blocks 21 of an amount suicient to position the mouth of the notches -28 'in alignment with the diverging slots 25. Thebars II may then be positioned in the respective-diverging slots Y2li and will spring outwardly and assume anested relation with the notches 28. When pressure is released, the slide blocks 21 will urge the resilient bars or supports II outwardly to cause them to engage the respective Vbases 29 of the slots 25 with the resilient means v2li tending to cause the slide blocks `21 to lock the tubular member. in adjusted position lon the bars H. By compressing the slide blocks 21 slightly to relieve the Vfriction grip of the bases 29 ofrthe slots 25 with the bars I I, it is apparent that the said slide clamp 22 may be quickly and easily slid longitudinally of the bars I I `to alter the ldistance between the lenses 8.

The clamping .eiect is brought about by the spring 26 causing the -slide blocks to wedge the bars I-I between :the walls of the notches 28 and the bases 29 ofthe slots y25. -It is to be understood that the notches 28 and the slots 25 are so dimensioned as tol-permit thebarsor supports I I to. slide relatively freely therethrough when-the Wedging action of the blocks .21. is freleased.

The entire binocular loopor mag-nier attachment assembly may be raised "or vlowered about the .pivots I5,-as illustrated by the dash lines 32" In thispmanner, the lenses I3 Vmay be in Fig. 1. moved intoor out of the eld of direct vision.

The ophthalmic mounting 'illustratedfin Fig. 1, as .previouslylstated above, is of -a conventional type embodyinglenses V21|V secured to the depending portions If1` of the bridge member `by rlens straps. or the like 31|. Thesaid bridge member is provided with rearwardly` extending lnose ipad supporting arms 3:2, see Fig. 2, to which suitable nose pads 33, may be rigidlyV or loosely. connected. The said nose pad supporting arms.. 3-2v have ses cured ythereto long andA slender temple supports 34 which are shaped to follow substantially-the upper contourshapefofthe lenses. rEhe.v said temple supports 3.4, terminate in temple hinge. con.-v

nections 35 to. which suitable temples Sare pivotally connected as illustrated at 3 1.

It is to be understood that ythe binocular mag,- nifier support .maybe attachedtov anyfcommercial. type of ophthalmic mounting, ggoggleror the like, either Vof rimlessfor frame type.

p In Figs. and 6, there is illustrated, a slightly modied formof (slide` clamp 38. simulating the slideclamp 22. The slide clamp,` 38 comprises a plate-like member :33. 'having L-shaped Vslots 4.0. formed adjacent the opposed ends ,thereoft There is securedto said plate 39, by Va. rivet or other suitable means 4.0, ablade like4 springfl4l.; The rivet 4U Vextends'through suitable opening-S342.andil 43 formed centrally. of the. respectivemembers 39 :and 4I. Theblade spring 41| visfproviided with longitudinal slots 44'` adjacent-the opposed: ends thereof 'in which the bars or supports Iz-I. are adapted to be positioned as shownin Fig. V6. Ehe member 41;, adjacentfthe slottedv ends 4.4, isprovided With open mouth portions 45 communicant# ing with said slots 44 whereby said mouth portions 45 may be aligned with the opened ends 46 ofthe L slots 40 in the plate 39 whereby the bars I I may be inserted in the respective slotted portions 40 and 44. This is brought about by cupping the blade spring 4 I, as shown in Fig. 6, by exerting pressure on the opposed ends 41 thereof simulating the pressure exerted on the ends of the slide blocks 31 as previously described above. When Vthe pressure on the opposed ends 41 oi the blade spring 4I is released, the inner ends 4B of the slotted portions 44 will move into side surface contact with one side of the respective bars or supports I I and Will force said bars into binding relation with the outer ends 49 of the slots 40 thereby causing the said slide clamp to grip the bars II. This action is brought about through the'tendency of the blade spring 4I to Hatten or to return to its initial set when pressure is released'ion theends'll. When itis desired to'move the slide clamp 38 longitudinally of the bars II, pressureisJ-exerted onthe ends 41 thereby relieving the clampingaction between the edges 48 and 49 respectively whereby the said clamp-'58 will be free to move'longitudinally of said bars `I I. When injdesired Vadjustedposition 'pressure is released on `the ends '41 and the spring 4I will then bring abouta 'elampingactionbetween said spring and plate to Vhold the slide clamp in said position.

In Fig. 7, there is illustrated a further modificationy Where instead of providing t'heinner ends of the bars I I with perforated portions "I4, as shown in Fig. 2, Yt-he saidinner ends lI`4' are recessed or slotted as shown at 5I) to receive the'pinsjIS, the said recess'being suchgas to forma bifurcated end with one of the branches of vthebifurcationsil being adaptedfto engage the base I9 of the hinge strap I6 to limit the downward movement of the bars I'I. Il; is to be 'noted that, the bars II may be swung upwardly about'the, pins '15in a similar manner tothe hinged construction. illustrated in Fig. `2`but`in addition thereto the said bifurcated ends I4 may. bedetachedfrom orattached tothe pins I *5Lby merely :sliding the .bifurcations inwardlyv or youtwardly from between` the 'spaced ears of the. strap t6;

Itis. tp lbe. noted that-the said-straps I6, `as shown in Fig. Y1, are. ,providedwth spaced ears between Whihthe .portions .I 4` andI`41 arejadapted to belosilloned and-.heldftherenby thep'inmembersl From the foregoing descriptiom it will. beseen that-simple, efci'ent,.anld, economical meansLhave. been provided for accomplishing val1/.of `the .objects and advantagesofthe invention..

Having describedmy vinvention. I claim:

1. A binocular attachment for an ophthalmic mounting lembody-ing. spaced. nbar-like lmembers joined. by .a .tie member adjacent oneyend :thereof and having. connection means adj acentsaidf ends,l

a magnifying lenssupportedamacent the lopposite-endsa tubular Ymember,havingspacedfslotsV in a Wall thereof` supportedon sadfbar-likeimemkbers with saidf-bar-.li-ke-members,lying in lthe 're- 2. A device of the character described comprisy ing a supporting frame embodying spaced barlikemembers, lens-holding members adjacent one end of said bar-like members for supporting lenses, a member having spaced slideways therein in which the bar-like members are positioned, resilient means extending in a direction longitudinally of and carried by said member for resiliently forcing engagement portions adjacent each end of said resilient means into engagement with and for retaining said bar-like members against motion under the normal action of the resilient means with said portions being movable toward each other an amount suicient .to relieve the retaining action and thereby permit the said member and resilient means carried thereby to be substantially freely moved longitudinally of said bar-like members.

3. A device of the character described comprising a supporting frame embodying a pair of converging bar-like members, a pair of lens-holding members adjacent the converging ends of said bar-like members for supporting lenses, a member having spaced slideways therein in. which .the bar-likel members are positioned, said slideways being a distance apart less than the distance apart of the diverged ends of the bar-like members, resilient means extending in a direction longitudinally of and carried by said member for resiliently forcing engagement portions adjacent each end of said resilient means into engagement with and for retaining said bar-like members against motion under the normal action of the resilient means, with said portions being movable toward each other an amount sufficient to relieve the retaining action and thereby permit the said member and resilient means carried thereby to be substantially freely moved longitudinally' of said bar-like members to change the angle of convergence and thereby alter the distance between the lens-holding members.

4. A device of the character described comprising a supporting frame embodying a pair of angularly disposed bar-like members, a pair of lensholding members adjacent one end of said barlike members for supporting lenses, attachment means adjacent the other end, an intermediate member having spaced slideways therein in which the bar-like members are positioned, said slide- Ways being spaced apart a distance other than the distance between the ends of the bar-like members bearing attachment means, resilient means extending in a direction longitudinally of and carried by said member for resiliently forcing engagement portions adjacent each end of said resilient means into engagement with and for retaining said bar-like members against motion under the normal action of the resilient means, with said portions being movable toward each other an amount suilicient to relieve the retaining action and thereby permit the said -member and resilient means carried thereby to be substantially freely moved longitudinally of said barlike members to change the angular disposition of the bar-like mem-bers and thereby alter the distance between the lens-holding members,

5. A device of the character described comprising an ophthalmic mounting and a supporting frame embodying a pair of converging bar-like members one end of which is secured to the mounting, a pair of lens-holding members adjacent the other end of said bar-like members for supporting lenses, a member having spaced slots therein in which the bar-like. members are positioned, said slots being spaced apart a, distance other than the distance between the ends of the bar-like members secured to the mounting, resilient means extending in a direction longitudinally of and` carried by said member for resiliently forcing engagement portions adjacent each en'd of said resilient means into engagement with and for retaining said bar-like members against motion under the normal action of the resilient means, with said portions being movable toward each other an amount sufficient to relieve the retaining action and thereby permit substantially free movement of, said member and resilient means `carried thereby longitudinally of said barlike members to change the angle of convergence and thereby alter. the 'distance between vthe lensholding members.

6. A deviceof the character described comprising an ophthalmic mountingand a supporting frame, embodying spaced bar-like members secured to the mounting at one end, a pair of lensholding members adjacent the other end of said bar-like members for supporting lenses, a member having spaced slideways therein in which the bar-like members are positioned, spring actuated means extending in a direction longitudinally of and carried by saidmember for urging engagementportions adjacent each end of said spring actuated means into engagement with and for retaining said bar-like members .against motion under the normal action of the spring actuated means with said portions being substantially freely movable toward each other an amount sufiicient to relieve the retaining action and thereby permit Athe said member to be moved longitudinally of said bar-like members.

'7. In a device of the character described the combination of an' ophthalmic mounting embodying a bridge member having connection means adjacent the opposedsides of the bridge and extending forwardly, a pair of converging bar-like members, each having one end connected to the respective connection means of the vbridge member, a pair of lens-holding members adjacent the other end of said bar-like members for supporting lenses, a member having spaced 'slideways therein in which the bar-like members are positioned, said slideways being spaced apart a distance `other than the distance apart of the connected ends of the bar-like members, resilient means extending in a direction longitudinally of and carried by said member for resiliently forcing engagement portions adjacent each end of said resilient means into engagement with and for retaining said bar-like members against motion under the normal action of the resilient means, with said `portions being movable toward each other an amount suiilcient to relieve the retaining action and thereby permit substantially free movement of said member and resilient means carried thereby longitudinally of said bar-like members to :change the angle of convergence and thereby alter the distance between the lens-holding members.

8. A device of the character described comprising a supporting frame embodying spaced barlike members, a pair of lens-holding members adjacent one end of said bar-like members for supporting lenses, a member having spaced slideways therein in which the bar-like members are positioned, a resilient member extending in a direction longitudinally of and carried by said member, having slots adjacent either end in which the bar-like members are positioned, said slots being spaced' apart a distance :greater than the 'distance spacing the slideways on the other member whereby -said bar-like 'members will be resiliently retained againstmotion-.underV the normal action of the'resili'ent member 'With'its outer end portionsbelng movable toward eachother an amount 'sufficient to relieve theretaining `action and thereby permit substantially free-movement of the first member and resilient memberoarried thereby longitudinally of said bar-likemembers.

r9. `A device of the character'describedcomprising a supporting frame embodying a pair of converging bar-likemembers,y apair of lens-holding members'v adjacent the converging endsvof said bar-:likemembers for supporting lenses, afmemberhaving spaced slideways thereinin which the bar-likemembers 'are positioned, said slideways being spaced apart a distance otherthanth'edistance spacingthe diverged :ends ofthe bar-like members, a resilient memberextending in a direction longitudinally of Yand carried by #said member and having kslots therein in whichthe bar-like members Vare vpositioned and 'with said slots being spaced a distance greater than the spacing of the slideways whereby vsaid bar-like members will beresiliently retained against -motion under the normal Eaction of the resilient member,=with itsy ends being movable towardy each other'an amount ysuiicient to relievethe retaining action'and thereby permit the `irst member and `resilient member carried thereby vto be substantiallyfreely moved longitudinally of saidbarlike members to change the angle of convergence and thereby alter'the-distance between'the lensholding members. l l 10. In a ydevice of the character'described ifo use with an ophthalmic mounting, `said device comprising a--pair of bar-like members'having end portions provided -With connecting means for attachment to said ophthalmic mounting Aand to extend convergin'gly forwardly thereof, -each 'of in the intermediate member, vwhich `slots lare spaced -a distance -other than the distance spacing Athe end Vportions of the bar-like members having connection means, the rwall portions of the s'lotslin the'intermediate/-and resilient member being `forced into binding gripping relation with said bar-like members under the normal resilientfa'c'ti'on of the resilient member, With-the endrportionsof the resilient memberbeing compres'sible 'toward each otheran amount sucient to relieve the 'Said clamping action-f fthe YWall portions of the-.slots whereby the intermediate member may [be 'relatively freelyinoved longitudinallyl of the bar-likemembers so as to` change theirI angleofeonvergence andthereby alter the distance between `the Ilens-holcvlijng f means.

CHliRlLES A.ELLIS.

The following references are of ,record inthe fue of this patent:

'UNITED STATES PAf'I'ENTS Number YName Date 1,635,062 .Tully July', '1927 1,033,119 Pixley July23, 19.12

974,950 Carter `Nov. 8, 1910 

